Bomb.



, E. H. Fours;

, BOMB. APPLIQATION FILED mum, 1915.

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' Patnted Nov. 21 .1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

EARL H. FOUTS,- F ELLISVILLE, ILLINOIS.

neonate.

Specification of- Letters Patent.

Application filed January 21, 1916. Serial 0. 73,377.

T 0 all whom 7'2 may concern Be it known that I, EARL H. Fours. a citizen of the United States, residing at Ellisville, in the county of Fulton and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bombs; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make. and use the This invention relates to bombs and more particularly to a device of this character designed to be dropped from aeroplanes during warfare and the invention has for its object to provide a bomb or projectile which shall be highly destructive to life and property and inexpensive to manufacture.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation-of parts as will be hereinafter specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved bomb, Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view therethrough Fig. 8 represents a rear elevation. of the bomb, Fig. 4: represents a trai'isverse sectional view on the line t-l: of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 represents a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of the explosive charge containing casing removed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 8 indicates the hollow cylindrical body of the bomb having a closed and tapered end 9 designed to pene trate objects with which the bomb comes into contact and also to reduce the air resistance to the travel thereof. The rear opened end of the cylindrical body is formed with external screw threads on whiph is fitted a removable cap or closure 10. A pln, rality of wings or fins 11 are secured adjacent the rear or opened end of the cylindrical body 8 and are directed laterally and rearwardly thereof to properly guide the bomb during the descent.

An explosive holder designated generally by the numeral 12 is reniovably lilled within the cylindrical body 8 and is formed with a tapered forward end snugly [itting within the tapered forward 'end or head 9 of the body. The forward portion of the holder or casing 12 adjacent the tapered end is of cylindrical formation and snugly fits Within the adjacent cylindrical portion of the body 8, While the rear end of said holder is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 14, to define an inclined shoulder 15 and a space 16 between body 8. The rear open end of the holder or casing 12 is closed by a removable cap 17.

In the space 16 between the rear eX- tremity of the holder and the cylindrical body 8 are arranged a plurality of spherical and polygonal-sided shot or shrapnel 18 and 19, respectively. The shot is prefer ably arranged in layers and the several layers are separated by annular spacing elements 20. A charge of high explosive 21 s poured into the forward portion of the holder 12 through a relatively small spout 22 secured in a frusto-conical partition 23 Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

the holder and rear portion of the arranged in the rear portion of the holder 12. A removable cap 25 is secured over the spout 22 and the rear extremity of the frusto-conical partition 23 is extended rearwardly in spaced relation to the rear end of the reduced end 14 of the holder or casing, as indicated at 26, and is provided with a removable closure cap 27. The receptacle formed by the frusto-conical partition 23, rearwardly directed member 26 and the cap 27 is filled with a second charge of explosive material 28.

The lower central portion of the holder 12 is former! with a socket 30, the wall of which is of considerably thinner material than the wall of the holder 12 so as to be more easily broken. The head 9 is formed with an axial opening 31 arranged in line with the socket 330 and slidably receiving an inwardly movable plunger 32, having a flanged head 33 projecting outwardly of the head 9. A plurality of guide pins 34 are secured in the head 31 and are slidably received within recesses 35 formed in the head 9. The head 33 is normally retained in outwardly extended position by the tension of springs 36 arranged in the recesses 35 and engaged between the point 9 and the head and coiled about the pins 34. Adjacent its inner end. the plunger 32 is formed with atransvcrse opening 37 receiving a spring pressed pin 38 engaged in a slot 39'r'ormed in the wall of the openin 31 to prevent removal of the plunger 32. A percussion cap 40 is fitted upon the inner tapered extremity of the plunger 32 and is adapted to be exploded by contact with a plate 43 movable against the wall of the socket 80. The inward movement of the relatively movable plate &3 is guided by a plurality of pins il secured to and projecting inwardly of the head 9. V

lVha I claim is 1. A bomb including a cylindrical body having a tapered forward end, a closure for the rear end of said body, an explosive holder having its forward portion snugly.

fitted within said cylindrical body and its rear portion spaced from said body and filling shot disposed in the space between the reduced rear end of said explosive holder and said cylindrical body. 7

2. A bomb including a cylindrical ,body, an explosive holder arranged within said body, a partition arranged within said explosive holder, :1, filling spout for the forward extremity of said explosive holder, a closure cap for said spout, a rearwardly directed extension carried by said partition said body,

disposed in spaced relation to the inner surface of said explosive holder, and explosive material arranged in said holder upon opposite sides of'said partition.

3. A bomb including a cylindrical body, a head carried by said body having an axial opening, a plunger slidably mounted in said opening, an explosive holder arranged in a frangible socket atone end of said explosive holder arranged in line with said plunger, a plate interposed between said head and said holder adapted to be moved inwardly against said socket by said plunger, means for limiting the outward movement of said plunger, and means normally retaining said plunger in outwardly extended position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa ture in presence of two witnesses.

EARL H. FOUTS.

Witnesses:

CHAS. WAGNER, IRA C. Fours. 

